Friday 30th January 2015 – The River Thames Commemoration

The historic Havengore has again honoured Sir Winston Churchill, retracing the route taken at the great statesman’s funeral exactly 50 years ago. The event was watched live by those in London and televised for a wider national and international audience. The on-board party included members of the Churchill family and others who were closely connected with the State Funeral.

The Company of Watermen and Lightermen supplied the boat crew in their ceremonial uniforms. The Havengore was escorted by the duty boats from the Port of London Authority, the River Police, the Fire Service and the RNLI, and Tower Bridge was raised as the small flotilla passed underneath.

At this point two Scottish pipers standing in the bows of Havengore began to play the pipes and continued to do so as she slowly made her way up river. HMS Belfast fired a gun salute and HMS Wellington, dressed overall, returned salutes as Havengore passed.

The river procession culminated in a service on board Havengore, immediately in front of the Palace of Westminster. Following the short religious service, a bio-degradable wreath of laurel leaves with a simple V for Victory was laid on the waters of the Thames.